Collapsible box.



PATENTED NOV. 20, 1906.

C. H. STONEBRIDGE.

. COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR.3.190G.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

JNVENTOH W/TNESSES ,j/M %-LL: /T"QW MAML PC m.

THE NORRIS PETERS ca, WASHINGTON, n. c.

No. 836,412. PATENT'ED NOV. 20, 1906.

C. H. STO NE'BRI DGE.

OOLLAPSIBLE BOX.

APPLICATION FILED APR.3,1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- WITNESSES:

MQLMLKM UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

COLLAPSIBLE BOX.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Nov. 20,1906. I

I Application filed April 3, 1906. Serial No. 309,651-

To all whont it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES H, STONE- BRIDGE, a citizen of the United States, resid ing in the borough of the Bronx, in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to collapsible boxes, and more particularly to collapsible lanterns having foldable or collapsible box-like bodies; and it has for its object to provide an improved device or article of this character which will be relatively simple and inexpensive in construction, which will be capable ofbeing collapsed or folded into and secured in very compact and portable form, and readily and conveniently extended into and secured in operative condition, and which will be generally superior in point of efliciency and serviceability.

In its specific objects the invention has relation to prior Letters Patent of the United States, issued to me November 27, 1900, September 29, 1903, May24, 1904, and March 28, 1905, and numbered, respectively, 662,474, 740,377, 760,660, and 785,772.

In the present specification and drawings the invention is disclosed as combined with several specific features of improvement disclosed and claimed in a prior application for Letters Patent,filed by me on April 24, 1905, and bearing Serial No. 257,092.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a central sectional elevation of a collapsible lantern embodying the present improvements and in extended or operative condition. Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the same taken upon the line 2 2, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a similar view taken upon the line 3 3, Fig.1. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the improved lantern, partly in sectional elevation, the parts being in partially separated condition previous to folding or collapsing the same and Fig. 5 is a partial sectional elevation taken at right angles to Fig. 4 and in the same plane as Fig. 1 the parts being shown in partially folded or collapsed condition.

Corresponding parts in all the figures are denoted by the same. reference characters.

Referring to the drawings, the improved lantern comprises a body portion consisting of a plurality of pivctally-connected body members a, b, c, and d, respectively, a top member 2, pivotally connected at one side with the body member 2, and a bottom member 3, pivotally connected at one side with the body member 0. The top member 2 is provided with a foldable guard 4, consisting of two members 4 and 4 for an air-opening 5 in the top member, and the bottom member 3 is provided with candle-holding means 6. In the provision of all these features and members the device agrees in general with those described and illustrated in the several Letters Patent hereinbefore referred to, and par ticularly in the prior application for Letters Patent referred to above.

Similar to the disclosure in Letters Patent No. 740,377, issued to me September 29, 1903, the device is furthermore provided with unitary securing means 7 for detachably uniting the guard 4, the top member 2, and the body member a, and partly comprised within said securing means 7 are locking means 8 for locking the parts and members together in collapsed or folded condition. The locking means 8 includes a bail member 9, connected with the guard 4, and whereby the lantern may be carried or suspended in use.

The body member a is provided with side flanges 10 and a top flange 11, the body members b and (1 being pivotally connected with the side flanges 10 and the top member 2 and guard 4 being pivotally connected with the top flange 11 in joint relation, although the guard 4 is directly pivotally connected with the top member 2. The body members I) and d are both pivotally connected with the body member a at either side of the same.

As fully disclosedin the several prior Letters Patent above referred to, the body members a, b, c, and d are so proportioned as to be capable of folding in flat serially superposed arrangement, and in such folding the bottom member 3 may be first swung upwardly flat against the body member 0. The body member b is then swung inwardly upon the bottom member 3, the body member a is swung over upon the body member I), and the body member cl follows and swings over upon the body member a. With the parts in this po sition the bottom member 3 and the body members a, b, and d all lie among the flanges 10 and 11 upon the body member 0. The top member 2 is then folded down upon the body member d and the guard 4 is folded down upon the top member 2 and the body member (1. The locking means 8 are then the top member 2 and the guard 4 to the employed to positively lock the guard 4 to v body member 0, whereby the parts and members are firmly maintained in collapsed or folded condition with all the several body and other members included among the flanges 10 and 11 in very compact form.

The securing means 7 comprises a tensional locking device 12, carried at the outer edge portion of the guard 4 and arranged for passage through an elongated keeper 13, arranged at the top edge portion of the body member a. The keeper 13 is pivotally arranged so that it may be folded flat against the body member a.

' The locking means 8 comprises two tensional locking devices 15 and 16, respectively, carried at the sides and outer edge portions of the guard 4, and arranged for engagement with the body member 0, which latter is provided with two receiving-keepers 17 and 18, respectively, at its lower corner portions. The locking means 8 also comprises the bail member 9, which, as above recited, is

connected with the guard 4 and is provided beneath the same with two extensions 19 and 20, respectively, extending through the opening 5 in the top member 2 and arranged to bear at the lower rear portion of the same when the guard member is in collapsed condition, thus tending to bind the top member and the guard together when the same are folded down against the body members of the lantern. The bail member 9 also coacts with the locking devices 15 and 16 to maintain the latter in looking engagement with the keepers 17 and 18.

The candle-holding means 6 comprises two pivotally mounted and spaced foldable members 23 and 24, respectively.

Tension means 25 are combinedwith the bottom member 3 and the body member c and tend to relatively separate the same, so as to force the bottom member downwardly against an interior flange 26 upon the lower edge portion of the body member (1, thus maintaining the several body members in extended or operative form. Locking means 27 is provided at the lower portion of the body member a for maintaining the bottom member 3 in the last-described position.

Pivotal connections 28 extend between the pivotally-mounted candle-holding means 6 and the body member 0, whereby the candleholding means are folded downwardly upon the bottom member 3 when the latter member is folded upwardly against the body member 0 and whereby also when the bottom member 3 is depressed into operative position the candle-holding means are caused to project upwardly into operative position.

Tension means 29 are provided for the guard 4 and the top member 2, said tension means exerting a tendency to relatively separate said top member and said guard, so that the same shall extend in operative position.

Pivotal connections 30 extend between the forward edge portion of the top member 2 i and the outer member of the guard 4, whereby predetermined relative movement is permitted between said members in the extension of the same into operative position and also in the folding of the same into collapsed or inoperative condition.

A preferred specific form of construction and relative arrangement of parts and members embodying the features of improvements above recited is as follows: The tensional locking device 12 consists of a springloop 31, formed centrally of a length32 of spring-wire, which is pivotally and slidably connected with and extends across the outer edge portion of the guard 4 and is formed at its outer end into hooks 33 and 34, respectively, formed at right angles to the springloop 31 and constituting the tensional locking devices 15 and 16. The spring-loop 31 is provided with lateral shoulders 35 and 36, respectively, which bind tensionally against the keeper 13 after insertion of said springloop through said keeper. The bail member 9 is formed of a single length 37, of stiff wire, which is formed centrally into a handle 38 above the guard 4, the sides of said handle member being rectangularly bent to constitute pintles for pivotally connecting together the members 4 and 4 of the guard 4. The extreme end portions 19 and 20 of the length of wire 37 are divergently extended beneath the members of the guard 4 and projected through the opening 5 in the top mem ber 2, as above described.

The hooks 33 and 34 are provided each with a notch or groove 39, in which notches the handle member 38 at the side portions of the same is seated when the hooks 33 and 34 have been forced intoengagement with the keepers 17 and 18, respectively, which keepers may consist of exposed wire loops 40 and 41, respectively, comprised within the construction of the body member 0.

The members 23 and 24 of the candle-holding means 6 consist each of a U-shaped body or length 42 of stiff wire, the central portion of each of which extends beneath a keeper 44, which keepers 44 are preferably integrally formed as part of aplate 45, secured to the bottom member 3 centrally thereof, The central portions of the lengths of wire constituting the members 23 and 24 are spaced from each other and arranged in parallelism and also parallel with the body member 0, whereby the four upwardly-projecting portions 46, which constitute candle-holding fingers, may be folded down flat upon the bottom member 3 or may be elevated into upright candle-receiving position. Each of the upright portions 46 is extended at its outer end at right angles into an outwardly-projecting portion 47, thus constituting two pairs of said projecting portions 47, one pair at either side of said plate 45, and the pair at each side of said plate are jointly connected with a separate pivotal connection 28 which separate pivotal connections are combined to form the pivotal connections 28, and said pivotal connections 23 are preferably comprised in a single length of stiff wire 48, the central portion of which is hinged to the body member 0 and the end portions of which are extended, respectively, to form the pivotal connections 28, each of said end portions being looped loosely about both of the projections 47, comprised in the respective pair of the latter at the respective side of the plate 45, such loopings being shown at 49.

The tension means 25 consist of two coiled springs 50, each of which bears upon the bottom member 3 at one side of the same and upon the body member 0, said coiled springs being comprised within a single length of stiff spring-wire 51, which bears at one end, as at 52, upon the bottom member 3 at one side of the same, is then coiled about a stiff structural wire portion 53 of the bottom member 3 to form one of the coil-springs 50, is then looped and extended upwardly, as at 54, in connection with the body member 0, is then extended downwardly and coiled about another stiff structural wire portion 55 of the bottom member 3 to form the other coilspring 50, and is thence at its terminal end 56 extended to bear upon the bottom member 3 at the side of the same opposite to the end portion 52 of the wire 51. The central portion 54 of the wire 51 preferably extends transversely across the body member 0 and thence downwardly beneath two spaced vertical keepers 57 and 58, respectively, the central portion of the wire 48 being hinged beneath a keeper 59 at right angles to the keepers 57 and 58, all of said keepers-57, 58, and 59being preferably combined in a single plate 60, connected with the body member 0.

The tension means 29 comprise two coilsprings 61 and 62, respectively, the coilspring 61 consisting of a single length of stiff spring-wire 63, which is coiled about a stiff structural wire portion 64 of the top member 2, one end portion 65 of said length of wire bearing upon the inner member 4 of the guard 4 and the other end. portion 66 of said length of wire bearing upon the top member 2. The coil-spring 62 similarly consists of a single length of stiff spring-wire 67, which is coiled about a stiff structural wire portion 68 of the top member 2, one end portion 69 of said wire 67 bearing upon the member 4 of the guard 4 and the other end portion 70.

thereof bearing upon the top member 2.

The pivotal connections 30 comprise a pivotal connection 71, extending between the top member 2 and one side of the guard member 4 and a pivotal connection 72, extending between the top member 2 and the other side of the guard member 4 Said pivotal connections are comprised within a single length 73 of stiff wire, which is axially pivotally connected with the outer edge portion of the top member 2 and is extended at its end portions to form separate links 74, constituting, respectively, the pivotal connections 71 and 7 2, each of said links being hooked into pivotal connection with a separate keeper 75, connected with. the under surface portion of the guard member 4", said keepers 75 being arranged at opposite sides of the guard member 4 The members 4 and 4 of the guard 4, which in operative position arch above the top member 2, are both provided with side flanges 76, which extend at the sides and inclose the several parts and members of the device when the latter is in collapsed condition.

The method of use and advantages of the improvements herein described will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and the following state ment.

To set the lantern up in operative position of parts and members, the four body mem bers a, b, c, and d are extended into the positions shown in the several figures of the drawings, the bottom member 3 forcing the said members into such positions under influ ence of the tension means 25, the locking means 27, of any simple preferred form, maintaining the bottom member 3 in the position assumed. The tension means 29, because of the nature of connection of the parts and members and particularly because of the provision of the pivotal connections 30 between the top member 2 and the guard mem her 4*, cause the guard members 4 and 4 to assume their arched position over the top member 2. The spring loop 31 is then forced through and into locking engagement with the keeper 13. This operation may be conveniently accomplished by compressing the spring-loop by the application of pressure to the hooks 33 and 34 at the ends of the length of wire 32. The guard 4, top member 2, and four body members are now all firmly and rigidly connected together and may be conveniently carried or suspended by the handle member 38 of the bail member 9. Previous to connection of the top member with the body members a candle may be in serted beneath the top member 2 and may be firmly seated among the raised candle-holding fingers 49 of the candle-holding means 6. It is manifest that as the bottom member 3 assumes its operative or lowered position the said fingers 49 will extend into upright projection from the bottom member 3 through successive stages of elevation, as illustrated in Fig. 5.

To collapse or fold the lantern, a reversal of the operation last described takes place and the body members a, Z), and cl are all folded flat, in the orderheretofore described, upon the bottom member 3, which is forced up flat against the body member 0 against the influence of the tension means 25. The outer edge portion of the guard member 4 and the handle member 38 are then grasped and brought together, the extended end portions 19 and 20 of the bail member bearing upon and beneath the top member 2 and the pivotal connections 30 causing the guard members 4 and 4 to extend themselves flat upon the top member 2. The top member and said guard members are then brought down upon the collapsed body members, and the handle member 38 of the bail member 9 is forced at its sides into the notches 39 in the hooks and 34, which are thus forced into and maintained firmly in engagement with the keepers 17 and 18 upon the body member 0. The top member and guard are thus now firmly connected with the body member 0, all the other parts and members being thus firmly maintained in intermediate positions and in collapsed condition.

By unseating the handle member 38 from the notches 39 in the hooks 33 and 34 the tension means 29 are permitted to act to cause the guard members 4 and l to arch over the top member 2, and by supporting the entirety by the handle member 38 the body members a, l), c, and d are permitted to assume their extended and operative positions under the expansive action of the bottom member 3, which is forced into operative position by the tension means 25. At the same time the candle-holding means assume their projected and operative position, having previously been housed in flat position between the body member 0 and the bottom member 3. The spring-loop 31 may now be connected with the keeper 13 as the final step in securing the parts and members in operative position.

The spring-loop 31 being pivotally mounted is readily flattened beneath the guard 4 in collapsing the lantern, which operation swings the hooks 27 and 28 into operative position. The keeper 13 is similarly swung flat against the body member a in folding the lantern.

, The principal features ofimprovement comprised within ,the present invention with respect to thosedisclosed in the prior Letters Patent initially herein referred to consist, it will be noted, in theprovision of the tension means 25, the tension means 29, the pivotal connection 30, and the pivotal connection 28. It will be noted also that the tension means 29 cooperate effectually with the pivotal connections 30, and the pivotal connections 28 cooperate effectually with the tension means 25 and the candle-holding means 6. The said tension means 25 and tension means 29 effectuate automatic assumption of operative positions by the several parts and members when they are released from locked folded position, the bottom member 3, under the influence of the tension means 25, acting as means for extending the four body members into operative position. It will also be noted that the bail member 9 effectually coacts with the guard members 4* and 4 and with the top member 2 in folding or collapsing the latter. The tension means 25 and tension means 29, because of the peculiar application of their potentialities and the particular relative arrangement and operative connection of parts and members, as described and illustrated, cause the entire device to be fully extended in all its parts and members for locking in operative condition by the securing means 7 upon merely suspending the entirety by the handle member 38 after the same has been released from the notches 39 in the hooks 33 and 34.

The entire device is relatively simple in construction and is readily collapsed into compact and positively-maintained flat form and is as readily extended into operative condition, which is as positively and firmly maintained.

Having thus described my invention, I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a top member and a guard pivotally connected with said body members, and tension means applied to said top member and said guard.

2. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a top member andfla guard pivotally connected with said body members, ten sion means applied to said top member and to said guard, and pivotal connections between said top member and said guard.

3. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body 'members, a top member and a guard pivotally connected with said body members, said guard comprising a plurality of pivotallyconnected members, tension means applied to said guard and said top member, and pivotal connections between said top member and said guard.

4. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a top member and a guard pivotally connected with said body members, said guard comprising a plurality of pivotallyconnected members, tension means applied to said top member and one member of said guard, and pivotal connections between said top member and another member of said guard.

5. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a top member and a guard pivotally connected with said body members, tension means applied to said top member and said guard, and a bail member connected with said guard and extending through an opening in said top member.

6. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a top member and a guard pivotally connected with said body members, said guard comprising a plurality of pivotally connected members, tension means applied to said guard and said top member, pivotal connections between said guard and said top member, and a bail member constituting the pivotal connection between the members of said guard and extending through an opening in said top member.

7. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a top member and a guard pivotally connected with said body members, said guard comprising a plurality of pivotallyconnected members, and pivotal connections extending between one member of said guard and said top member.

8. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a top member and a guard pivotally connected with said body members, tension means applied to said top member and to said guard, pivotal connections extending between said top member and said guard, and locking means for uniting said top member and said guard with said body members.

9. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a bottom member, collapsible candle-holding means connected with said bottom member, and connections extending be tween one of said body members and said candle-holding means.

10. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a bottom member pivotally connected with one of said body members, 001- lapsible candle-holding means connected with said bottom member, and pivotal connections extending between said candle-holding means and one of said body members.

11. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a bottom member pivotally connected with one of said body members, collapsible candle-holding means pivotally connected with said bottom member, and pivotal connections extending between said candle-holding means and one of said body members whereby when said bottom member is folded with relation to said body members said candle-holding means are folded with relation to said bottom member.

12. Improvements in collapsible lanterns, comprising a plurality of collapsible body members, a bottom member pivotally connected with one of said body members, collapsible candle-holding means connected with said bottom member, and pivotal connections extending between said candle-holding means and one of said body members.

13. I11 improvements in collapsible lanterns, a body member, a bottom member pivotally connected with said body member,

collapsible candle-holding means connected with said bottom member, and pivotal connections extending between said candle-holding means and saidbody member.

14. In improvements in collapsible lanterns, a body member, a bottom member pivotally connected with said body member, collapsible candle-holding means connected with said bottom member, pivotal connections extending between said candle-holding means and said body member, and tension means applied to said body member and said bottom member.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

CHARLES H. STONEBRIDGE.

Witnesses:

OHAs. F. MINOR, Jos. BANTIL. 

